HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope says that MPs should not vote themselves a big pay rise when the matter comes before the House of Commons next Thursday.

He said: “There is no justification for MPs voting themselves a big pay rise. How would we be able to face other public sector workers in our constituencies, many of whom are having their pay rises phased so that they are only receiving 1.9 per cent rises this year, if we then vote ourselves a whopping rise?

“If we are serious about tackling inflationary pay awards then the best place to start is with ourselves. Anything else would be deeply hypocritical.

“Some MPs have said their pay has fallen behind inflation for the last five years, which is true, but we are hardly starving – an MP is currently paid £60,675 per year. I think some of my colleagues are in danger of losing touch with the real world.

“On a separate but related topic, I am opposed to MPs having to vote on their own pay as I feel it is unethical.

“Unless MPs look like voting for a large rise, in which case I shall vote against, I intend to abstain.”